Rider assistance and bus coordination
The job combines customer service with day-to-day support for ATA Bus operations. Using radios, phones and computers, the specialist will help bus operators and the public, schedule rides and answer service questions.
Operational duties include directing and monitoring buses and routes, using vehicle-tracking software, and reporting construction, crashes, congestion and weather conditions. The specialist will also relay assignments to operators, coordinate communication between operators and mechanics, maintain records and files, and share information with internal teams.
Hours will depend on operational needs and may include weekday, weekend, morning and evening shifts. The schedule can vary during training and change over time. ATA Bus is seeking a friendly, dependable employee with a customer-service focus.
Experience, skills and employment conditions
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of customer service experience. They must be proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and demonstrate computer skills along with fast, accurate data entry.
The agency also requires strong phone and interpersonal skills, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to work both independently and with a team. Candidates should be organized, attentive to detail and able to manage their time and multiple tasks without compromising standards. The listing also calls for initiative.
The work involves extended periods at a desk using a computer. Employees must consistently be able to lift up to 20 pounds. Because ATA Bus classifies the position as safety-sensitive, it requires pre-employment and random drug screening.
ATA Bus describes itself as an equal opportunity employer seeking a workforce that reflects its community. Its policy prohibits unlawful exclusion from employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status or any other protected class.
The transit system the specialist will support
The hiring notice identifies Manhattan, Junction City, Fort Riley and parts of Pottawatomie County as communities whose riders rely on ATA Bus for safe, reliable transportation. It describes customer service staff as central to operations and to the agency's mission of providing and promoting high-quality transit across Flint Hills communities.
ATA Bus says on its website that it plans, manages and operates public transportation in the Manhattan Urbanized Area, Junction City, and Riley, Pottawatomie and Geary counties. Its services include curb-to-curb Demand Response rides for seniors, people with disabilities and residents who live far from a bus stop. Pre-scheduled trips to and from Fort Riley are available Monday through Friday.
According to the agency, every vehicle is ADA accessible, and many buses carry bike racks. County residents concerned about the absence of public transportation founded the agency in 1976; it has operated since then as a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
K18 Connect service and ridership
The agency introduced its redesigned K18 Connect regional route on January 5, 2026, connecting Junction City, Manhattan and Ogden. Buses run Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with service in both directions between Walmart locations. An end-to-end trip takes about one hour and 15 minutes.
ATA Bus lists the fare at $1 per ride following a fare-free period covering all its services during January 2026.
The Manhattan Mercury reported February 13, 2026, that the route's ridership increased about 41% between December 2025, when it was called the K-18 Connector, and January 2026. The report attributed the figures to Daphne McNelly, ATA Bus director of marketing and communications, who also reported an increase of about 80% between January 2025 and January 2026.
